Forsyth County Public Library

Get a Library Card

How to Get a Library Card

Anyone who meets one of the following qualifications may obtain a library card free of charge upon verification of identity and address.

Image Description
  • Resident of Forsyth County
  • Employee of Forsyth County
  • Owner of property in Forsyth County
  • Student or teacher in a Forsyth County school, college or university
  • Resident in an NC County with reciprocal borrowing privileges (Alleghany, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry & Yadkin)

What You Need to Obtain a Library Card

To be eligible for a Forsyth County Library card, the patron must have official form of photo ID and proof of local address. These requirements can be met by a valid driver's license with a current address or a combination of one from the identification column and one from the address column.

Identification
Passport
State Issued ID
Military ID
School or Work ID
Any other official picture ID Pay stub with current address

Out-of-County Library Card Holders

Non-residents may purchase cards for an annual fee of $25 dollars. Non-resident library card holders must apply and renew in person at any location of the Forsyth County Public Library.
Note: Loan periods for library materials vary.

Print materials (books, magazines, ephemera, etc.)
Nonfiction DVDs and Videos
Audio material (CDs, cassettes, Playaways)
Fiction DVDs and Videos and ebook readers
Interlibrary loan

Application for a Library Card

Print and complete the registration form.

Print and fill out an application and return it to your local library branch, along with a presenting a valid ID and proof of address, to complete registration for a library card.

Using the Online Catalog

Refer to this video to get started with the online catalog. You can always call the library with any questions.

Fines are not charged for late return on most library materials with the exception of DVDs, Interlibrary loan materials and ebook readers. DVDs and ebook readers are assessed the following fines:
  • DVDs: $2 per day/maximum fine per item $20
  • ebook readers: $5 per day/maximum fine of $250
  • Interlibrary loan fines are assesed by the lending institution
Most items may be renewed four (4) times in-person, by telephone or online if they are not on request for another customer. New materials, DVDs, music and storytime kits are non-renewable. Interlibrary loans must be returned inside the library to the check out desk where the device was checked out.
Library cards are replaced free in these instances:
  • Card is broken
  • Signature is old (signed when child)
  • Name is not correct (due to marriage, etc.)
  • Card has been stolen
  • Card has been destroyed by act of nature
  • Specialty library cards (Generation Teen)
  • Migration from child to teen to adult library card
  • Trading up to the most current style library card
Fees are charged for cards replaced for all other reasons. The first replacement card costs $1. Additional replacement cards cost $5 each.
Holds may be used to get an item from another location or to reserve a copy when all are checked out. As a member of NC Cardinal, Forsyth County Public Library card holders can place a hold on elibible materials from any participating library system.

Materials that cannot have holds placed include: DVDs that are six-months old or younger, reference books, newspapers, magazines, and other non-circulating and historical items, such as those in the North Carolina Collection.

To place a hold, follow these steps:
  • Go to the Online Catalog
  • Search for item
  • From the list of results, find the item you wish to reserve and click "Place Hold"
  • If you are already signed into your account, verify how you would like to be notified when it is ready and where you would like to pick up the title when it is available. If you are not signed in, you will be asked to sign in with your library card number and PIN and verify your settings.
  • If you are opting to receive a notification by text messaging, enter the full 10-digit number without dashes, spaces or other special characters. Please choose the appropriate mobile carrier.
  • Click the Submit button. The next page will tell you that the hold was placed successfully or why there was a problem placing the hold.
When your hold arrives at the library you requested, you will receive notification by email, phone or text message. Plan to pick up the item for checkout within seven (7) days.
Requests from other libraries can happen at your nearest FCPL location or online.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service provided to library patrons seeking books not held in our system or the NC Cardinal consortium. Patrons must be borrowers in good standing and are limited to three active requests at any given time.

Patrons preferring to pick up and return ILL materials at a given branch should request the materials at that branch.

Requests may be made in-person, by phone or online. Each request takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process and be received. Interlibrary Loan is provided free of charge unless a charge is indicated by the lending library. To request a book online, Ask Your Librarian.

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Contact Us

336-703-BOOK (2665)
Email: Contact Us
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Holiday Closings
Monday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Friday, March 29 - Good Friday
Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day
Thursday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, September 2 - Labor Day
Monday, November 11 - Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving
Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving
Friday, December 13 - Staff Engagement Day
Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas holiday begins
Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas
Thursday, December 26 - Christmas